Justice News

Minnesota Business Owner Stole More Than $1 Million In Real Estate Investments

United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the indictment of MICHAEL JOHN MANGAN, 43, owner of multiple Minnesota-based businesses, on four counts of Wire Fraud and three counts of Mail Fraud. MANGAN is charged with stealing over $1 million of investment funds and loans which he claimed would be used to fund and grow his various real estate-oriented businesses.

According to documents filed in court, from October 2009 until at least November 2011, MANGAN was the principal officer of High Point Construction & Remodeling LLC, High Point Property Management LLC, High Point Group World Wide LLC, High Point Education LLC and Fortune Forward Education. As part of the scheme, MANGAN allegedly used these businesses to solicit thousands of dollars in investments and loans in various real estate-oriented projects.

During the indicted period, MANGAN was able to defraud his investors by lying about, among other things, the success and profitability of his businesses and providing investors with false financial statements to that effect. Other solicitation tactics that MANGAN used included the promise of company shares, employment and leadership positions on the board of directors of his companies and falsely representing that the companies’ business operations would generate returns on their investments.

According to the indictment, MANGAN used some of investors’ money to fund his own lifestyle, pay personal expenses and make Ponzi-type payments to other investors. When investors demanded repayment or threatened to report him to law enforcement, MANGAN would attempt to buy more time by making lulling payments or issuing checks he knew to be worthless.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle E. Jones.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL JOHN MANGAN, 43

Charges: • Wire Fraud, 4 counts • Mail Fraud, 3 counts

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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.